Method of play and gaming surface for a dice and wheel game

ABSTRACT

A method of playing a game using a pair of dice and a gaming surface having a plurality of wagering areas, and a wheel having a series of numbers. A primary player is selected and a wager is then placed by each player on the wagering areas of the gaming surface. The wheel is spun resulting in the selection of a single number. The primary player rolls the dice and the numbers on the dice and the wheel are then compared, and the wagers are resolved. The game uses a wheel having a plurality of areas and a stationary marker is coupled to the wheel which indicates a single area when the wheel is not rotating. The gaming surface has a plurality of areas for wagering whether the dice or wheel will result in a higher number or result in a tie.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a method and game surface for playing a dice and wheel game. More particularly, a dice and wheel game that provides multiple wagering options and has a win/lose factor with each roll of the dice.

[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,432 to Feola discloses a method of playing a game using a plurality of random value selectors. The present invention provides an improved method of playing a dice and wheel game and an improved gaming surface. The present invention has a win/lose factor with each roll of the dice as well as simple rules so that the game may be learned easily by a novice gambler.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention discloses a method of playing a game using a plurality or pair of dice and a gaming surface having a plurality of wagering areas. The invention also includes a wheel having a series of numbers. The game begins first by selecting a primary player. A wager is then placed by each player on the wagering areas of the gaming surface that one of a plurality of events will occur relating to the roll of the dice. The wheel is then spun resulting in the selection of a single number. The primary player then rolls the pair of dice on the gaming surface. The numbers on the dice and the wheel are then compared and the wagers are resolved. Losing wagers are collected and winning wagers are paid. Every roll of the dice results in a win-lose factor permitting all players' wagers to be resolved with each roll.

[0004] All wagers on the wagering area of the gaming surface designated for the dice are paid if the dice result in a higher number than the wheel. All wagers on the wagering area of the gaming surface designated for the wheel are paid if the wheel results in a higher number than the dice. All wagers on the wagering area of the gaming surface designated for a tie are paid if the dice result in the same number as the wheel.

[0005] A new primary player is established if the wheel results in a higher number than the dice. The same primary player remains if the dice result in a higher number than the wheel or if the dice result in the same number as the wheel.

[0006] The wagering game uses a wheel having a plurality of areas, and which rotates about a central axis. A stationary marker is coupled to the wheel which indicates a single area when the wheel is not rotating. The gaming surface has wheel wagering areas designated for wagers that the result of the wheel will be greater than the result of the dice; dice wagering areas designated for wagers that the result of the dice will be greater than the result of the wheel; and tie wagering areas designated for wagers that the result of the wheel will be equal to the result of the dice. A single wheel wagering area, a single dice wagering area, and a single tie wagering area are disposed in front of each player. The wheel has eleven areas, and each area is marked with a single number between two and twelve.

[0007] Essentially the present invention is an improvement because it provides a simplified game that reduces the number of controllers or employees including the croupiers and the box man of an institution to watch or control a game.

[0008] For example, the present invention is an improvement because with other dice game like craps, there are too many different type bets and these different types of bets are placed at different positions around a large table which would then require a large number of controllers of a game. With craps, there is usually required three croupiers, one box man and one break assistant.

[0009] In contrast, with the present invention, the user essentially has a much more limited number or types of bets wherein the positions on the table for placing these bets are limited. Thus, to control the game of the present invention, there could be only one person such as a “stick man” who controls and watches the bets of all of the participants.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0010] Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawing. It is to be understood, however, that the drawing is designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

[0011] The Figure shows a playing surface and game set-up for the dice and wheel game preferably entitled “Beat the Wheel.”

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0012] Referring in detail to the drawing, the figure shows the set up of the dice and wheel game. The game includes a wheel 10 having a plurality of areas 11. Wheel 10 and areas 11 rotate around a central axis. A stationary marker 12 indicates or designates one of areas 11 when wheel 10 is not rotating. The game set up also includes a gaming surface 13 upon which dice 14 are thrown and chips 15 are distributed, wagered, and collected. Gaming surface 13 includes a number of player stations 16 where players of the game stand or sit while the game is in play. Each player station 16 preferably includes a wheel wagering area 17, a dice wagering area 18, and a tie wagering area 19. Wheel wagering area 17 is designated for wagers that the result of wheel 10 will be greater than the result of dice 14. Dice wagering area 18 is designated for wagers that the result of dice 14 will be greater than the result of wheel 10. Tie wagering area 19 is designated for wagers that the result of wheel 10 and dice 14 will be equal.

[0013] Wheel 10 preferably has eleven areas 11, and each area 11 is preferably numbered with a single number from two to twelve. In this embodiment, two dice 14 are used. This makes it possible for wheel 10 to achieve every possible combination of dice 14.

[0014] Wheel wagering area 17 is preferably marked with a “W”. Dice wagering area is preferably marked with a “D”. Tie wagering area is preferably marked with a “T”.

[0015] The dice and wheel game is played by first selecting a primary player from those players at player stations 16. Wagers are then placed on game surface 13 using chips 15, by players at player stations 16, on one of three areas. Players may wager on wheel wagering area 17 if they believe that wheel 10 will result in a higher number than dice 14. Players may wager on dice wagering area 18 if they believe that a roll of dice 14 will result in a higher number than a spin of wheel 10. Finally, players may wager on tie wagering area 19 if they believe that wheel 10 and dice 14 will result in the same number.

[0016] Wheel 10 is then spun by the dealer 20 who also functions as a “stick man” for collecting the rolled dice. When it stops rotating a single area 11 is selected by marker 12. The number on this single area 11 establishes the number for wheel 10. The primary player then rolls dice 14 on game surface 13. The sum of dice 14 after the roll establishes the number for dice 14. The numbers for dice 14 and wheel 10 are then compared and wagers are resolved. Losing wagers are collected and winning wagers are paid.

[0017] If the number for wheel 10 is greater than the number for dice 14, the wagers on wheel wagering area 17 win and are paid on a ratio of 1:1. All other wagers are collected. If the number for dice 14 is greater than the number for wheel 10, the wagers on dice wagering area 18 are paid on a ratio of 1:1. All other wagers are collected. If the number for dice 14 is the same as the number for wheel 10, the wagers on tie wagering area 19 are paid. All other wagers are collected. Every roll of the dice results in a win-lose factor permitting all players' wagers to be resolved with each roll.

[0018] A new primary player is established if the number for wheel 10 is greater than the number for dice 14. The primary player remains the same if the number from dice 14 is greater than the number from wheel 10 or if the two numbers are the same.

[0019] Essentially the probabilities and the payouts are as follows: the probability that the wheel will win is 5/11 wherein the odds against are 6:5 and the payout is on a 1:1 basis. The probability that the dice wins is 5:11 wherein the odds against are 6:5 and the payout is on a 1:1 basis. Finally the probability that the wheel and the dice tie are 1/11 wherein the odds against this occurring is 10/11 and the payout is on a 9:1 basis. Thus, for each dollar bet, the expected return to the house is 1/11 of a dollar.

[0020] Accordingly, while one embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it is obvious that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of playing a game using dice, a gaming surface having a plurality of wagering areas, and a wheel having a plurality of numerically marked areas, the method comprising the following steps: selecting a primary player; receiving at least one wager from each player on the wagering areas of the gaming surface wagering that one of a plurality of events will occur relating to the roll of the dice; spinning the wheel resulting in the selection of a single numerically marked area; rolling the pair of dice on the gaming surface; resolving said at least one wager from each player based on the roll of the dice, wherein losing wagers are collected and winning wagers are paid; and paying out to all wagers on a wagering area of the gaming surface designated for the dice and collecting all other wagers, if the dice result in a higher number than the wheel; wherein every roll of the dice results in a win-lose factor permitting all players' wagers to be resolved with each roll.
 2. The method of playing a game according to claim 1, further comprising the step of paying out to all wagers on a wagering area of the gaming surface designated for the wheel and collecting all other wagers, if the-wheel results in a higher number than the dice.
 3. The method of playing a game according to claim 1, further comprising the step of paying out to all wagers on a wagering area of the gaming surface designated for a tie and collecting all other wagers, if the dice result in the same number as the wheel.
 4. The method of playing a game according to claim 1, further comprising the step of establishing a new primary player if the wheel results in a higher number than the dice.
 5. The method of playing a game according to claim 1, further comprising the step of keeping the same primary player if the dice result in a higher number than the wheel.
 6. The method of playing a game according to claim 1, further comprising the step of keeping the same primary player if said step of rolling the dice results in the same number as the wheel.
 7. The method of playing a game according to claim 1, wherein said step of paying out to all wagers on said wagering area designated for the dice, pays on a ratio of 1:1.
 8. The method of playing a game according to claim 2, wherein said step of paying out to all wagers on said wagering area designated for the wheel, pays on a ratio of 1:1.
 9. A wagering game using a pair of dice and chips comprising: a. a wheel having a plurality of areas, wherein said wheel rotates about a central axis; b. a stationary marker coupled to said wheel that relates to a single area of said plurality of areas when said wheel is not rotating; and c. a gaming surface comprising: i. at least one wheel wagering area designated for wagers that the result of a spin of said wheel will be greater than the result of the dice; ii. at least one dice wagering area designated for wagers that the result of the dice will be greater than the result of said wheel; and iii. at least one tie wagering area designated for wagers that the result of said wheel will be equal to the result of the dice.
 10. The game as in claim 9, wherein a single wheel wagering area, a single dice wagering area, and a single tie wagering area are disposed in front of each player.
 11. The game as in claim 9, wherein said at least one wheel wagering area is marked with a “W”.
 12. The game as in claim 9, wherein said at least one dice wagering area is marked with a “D”.
 13. The game as in claim 9, wherein said at least one tie wagering area is marked with a “T”.
 14. The game as in claim 9, wherein said wheel has eleven areas, and wherein each area is marked with a single number between two and twelve. 